Claim profile
1840–1849

The 1840s

Whose names filled the books of the 1840s — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in English books during the 1840s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish11,257German2,512French2,481Italian1,520Spanish816Russian127Hebrew61
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures110
  2. 2AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians14
  3. 3CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians12
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers12
  5. 5PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.9
  6. 6AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.1
  7. 7VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7.6
  8. 8HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers7.1
  9. 9Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians7.1
  10. 10SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.5
  11. 11Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians6.4
  12. 12Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures6.4
  13. 13Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures6.4
  14. 14PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics5.7
  15. 15John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians4.8
  16. 16StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.8
  17. 17CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures4.8
  18. 18OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics4.5
  19. 19LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.2
  20. 20TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics4.2
  21. 21DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.7
  22. 22Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.6
  23. 23HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.4
  24. 24Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.4
  25. 25Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.4
  26. 26HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.4
  27. 27Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.4
  28. 28Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.4
  29. 29OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.3
  30. 30Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models3.3
  31. 31Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians3.3
  32. 32Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.3
  33. 33Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century3.3
  34. 34Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century3.3
  35. 35Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century3.3
  36. 36HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures3.3
  37. 37Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians3.3
  38. 38BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.3
  39. 39XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.0
  40. 40Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.9
  41. 41Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.8
  42. 42Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.8
  43. 43Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.8
  44. 44HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.8
  45. 45Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  46. 46Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.8
  47. 47Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.8
  48. 48Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.8
  49. 49Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.8
  50. 50Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.8
  51. 51Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.8
  52. 52Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.8
  53. 53James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.8
  54. 54Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.7
  55. 55OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.7
  56. 56John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.7
  57. 57CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.7
  58. 58PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.6
  59. 59ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.4
  60. 60HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.4
  61. 61Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.4
  62. 62Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.4
  63. 63TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.3
  64. 64EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.3
  65. 65SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.3
  66. 66PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.0
  67. 67Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.9
  68. 68GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.9
  69. 69Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.9
  70. 70IrenaeusIrenaeus130–202 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Academics1.9
  71. 71William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.8
  72. 72EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.8
  73. 73SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.8
  74. 74HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors1.8
  75. 75Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.8
  76. 76VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.8
  77. 77WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.8
  78. 78WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.8
  79. 79WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.8
  80. 80WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.8
  81. 81WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.8
  82. 82William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.8
  83. 83William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.8
  84. 84Horace WalpoleHorace Walpole1717–1797 · 18th century · Writers1.7
  85. 85John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.7
  86. 86Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.7
  87. 87John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.7
  88. 88AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  89. 89PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  90. 90George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.7
  91. 91George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.7
  92. 92George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.7
  93. 93PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  94. 94HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.6
  95. 95Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell1599–1658 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.6
  96. 96AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models1.6
  97. 97Robert WalpoleRobert Walpole1676–1745 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.5
  98. 98Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.5
  99. 99William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders1.5
  100. 100William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.5

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1840s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  2. 2Charles DarwinCharles Darwin1809–1882 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists21 decades
  3. 3Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  4. 4Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin1810–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  5. 5Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · Writers19 decades
  6. 6Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe1809–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  7. 7Charles DickensCharles Dickens1812–1870 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers20 decades
  8. 8Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians18 decades
  9. 9Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  10. 10Mikhail LermontovMikhail Lermontov1814–1841 · Writers15 decades
  11. 11Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen1805–1875 · Writers18 decades
  12. 12Pope Leo XIIIPope Leo XIII1810–1903 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures15 decades
  13. 13Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  14. 14Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · Writers13 decades
  15. 15Franz LisztFranz Liszt1811–1886 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians19 decades
  16. 16Felix MendelssohnFelix Mendelssohn1809–1847 · Musicians18 decades
  17. 17Emily BrontëEmily Brontë1818–1848 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  18. 18Robert SchumannRobert Schumann1810–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  19. 19Søren KierkegaardSøren Kierkegaard1813–1855 · Academics3 decades
  20. 20Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  21. 21Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  22. 22Mikhail BakuninMikhail Bakunin1814–1876 · Activists16 decades
  23. 23Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville1805–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  24. 24Joseph SmithJoseph Smith1805–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  25. 25Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists20 decades
  26. 26Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee1807–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  27. 27Camillo Benso, Count of CavourCamillo Benso, Count of Cavour1810–1861 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians10 decades
  28. 28John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill1806–1873 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics18 decades
  29. 29Pierre-Joseph ProudhonPierre-Joseph Proudhon1809–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  30. 30P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum1810–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  31. 31Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  32. 32Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  33. 33Alexander HerzenAlexander Herzen1812–1870 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers16 decades
  34. 34Ivan GoncharovIvan Goncharov1812–1891 · Writers17 decades
  35. 35David LivingstoneDavid Livingstone1813–1873 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  36. 36Patrice de MacMahonPatrice de MacMahon1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  37. 37Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  38. 38Vissarion BelinskyVissarion Belinsky1811–1848 · Academics15 decades
  39. 39Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  40. 40Anne BrontëAnne Brontë1820–1849 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1 decades
  41. 41Max StirnerMax Stirner1806–1856 · Academics18 decades
  42. 42Emir AbdelkaderEmir Abdelkader1808–1883 · Politicians0 decades
  43. 43Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers18 decades
  44. 44Harriet Beecher StoweHarriet Beecher Stowe1811–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  45. 45Georges-Eugène HaussmannGeorges-Eugène Haussmann1809–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  46. 46Eugène Viollet-le-DucEugène Viollet-le-Duc1814–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Architectsnot measured—
  47. 47Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  48. 48Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians18 decades
  49. 49William Makepeace ThackerayWilliam Makepeace Thackeray1811–1863 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers17 decades
  50. 50Jean-François MilletJean-François Millet1814–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  51. 51Nikolai PirogovNikolai Pirogov1810–1881 · Scientists15 decades
  52. 52William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone1809–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians18 decades
  53. 53Alfred TennysonAlfred Tennyson1809–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  54. 54Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow1807–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  55. 55Adolphe SaxAdolphe Sax1814–1894 · Musicians13 decades
  56. 56Honoré DaumierHonoré Daumier1808–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  57. 57Ferdinand de LessepsFerdinand de Lesseps1805–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  58. 58Jules GrévyJules Grévy1807–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  59. 59Elizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett Browning1806–1861 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers17 decades
  60. 60Samuel ColtSamuel Colt1814–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists18 decades
  61. 61Robert BrowningRobert Browning1812–1889 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  62. 62Peter Gustav Lejeune DirichletPeter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet1805–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades
  63. 63Maximilian II of BavariaMaximilian II of Bavaria1811–1864 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  64. 64Isambard Kingdom BrunelIsambard Kingdom Brunel1806–1859 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists2 decades
  65. 65Louis Auguste BlanquiLouis Auguste Blanqui1805–1881 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  66. 66William Rowan HamiltonWilliam Rowan Hamilton1805–1865 · Academics16 decades
  67. 67Sándor PetőfiSándor Petőfi1823–1849 · Writers0 decades
  68. 68Maria Christina of the Two SiciliesMaria Christina of the Two Sicilies1806–1878 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  69. 69Antonio MeucciAntonio Meucci1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists14 decades
  70. 70Elizabeth GaskellElizabeth Gaskell1810–1865 · Writers7 decades
  71. 71Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians10 decades
  72. 72Fanny MendelssohnFanny Mendelssohn1805–1847 · Musicians10 decades
  73. 73Isaac SingerIsaac Singer1811–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0 decades
  74. 74Frederick VII of DenmarkFrederick VII of Denmark1808–1863 · Historical Figures0 decades
  75. 75Princess Sophie of BavariaPrincess Sophie of Bavaria1805–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  76. 76Ferdinand II of the Two SiciliesFerdinand II of the Two Sicilies1810–1859 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Éliphas LéviÉliphas Lévi1810–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  78. 78Louise of OrléansLouise of Orléans1812–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures21 decades
  79. 79John SnowJohn Snow1813–1858 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Doctors21 decades
  80. 80Jenny von WestphalenJenny von Westphalen1814–1881 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  81. 81Emperor NortonEmperor Norton1811–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Business Professionals0 decades
  82. 82Margaret FullerMargaret Fuller1810–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  83. 83Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.1809–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers19 decades
  84. 84William Lloyd GarrisonWilliam Lloyd Garrison1805–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists19 decades
  85. 85Josephine of LeuchtenbergJosephine of Leuchtenberg1807–1876 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  86. 86Louis AgassizLouis Agassiz1807–1873 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists16 decades
  87. 87Robert BunsenRobert Bunsen1811–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  88. 88Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. Douglas1813–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  89. 89Bruno BauerBruno Bauer1809–1882 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics19 decades
  90. 90Horace GreeleyHorace Greeley1811–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  91. 91Albert PikeAlbert Pike1809–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  92. 92Edward LearEdward Lear1812–1888 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists15 decades
  93. 93Kit CarsonKit Carson1809–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures18 decades
  94. 94Sheridan Le FanuSheridan Le Fanu1814–1873 · Writers8 decades
  95. 95Henry WilsonHenry Wilson1812–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  96. 96Princess Ludovika of BavariaPrincess Ludovika of Bavaria1808–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  97. 97Mohammad Shah QajarMohammad Shah Qajar1808–1848 · Politicians0 decades
  98. 98Henri NestléHenri Nestlé1814–1890 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Founders0 decades
  99. 99Bettino RicasoliBettino Ricasoli1809–1880 · Politicians22 decades
  100. 100Moses HessMoses Hess1812–1875 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 decades

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.